Australia Awards South and West Asia

Applications are now open for the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia 2023 Scholars Forum, the theme of which is ‘Networks for Influence and Impact’.

The Forum will be held on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra on 12 and 13 April 2023. The event will bring together more than 50 Australia Awards scholars from South Asia & Mongolia for an exceptional opportunity for professional development, networking, and cultural engagement in Australia’s capital.

The Forum will enhance the participating scholars’ ability to build networks and establish enduring connections that are drawn on throughout their careers to increase their impact. It will help scholars to understand how they can make the most of their time in Australia to develop linkages to complement their study, enhance their ability to engage with organisations and individuals and improve their ability to implement change upon returning to their home countries.

Scholars will be joined at the Forum by various speakers and guests, including representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, other Australian government agencies, non-government organisations, multilateral bodies and the diplomatic corps.

In addition to the formal sessions, scholars will have the opportunity to tour key Australian national institutions and network with Canberra-based officials and with each other.

The Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia will provide transport to Canberra and accommodation during the Forum for successful applicants.

Scholars who wish to attend the Forum must submit an application. With around 54 spaces for scholars, this will be a competitive process; not all applicants will be selected to participate. The organisers are seeking scholars with strong leadership potential who can demonstrate the following:

• how linkages will benefit their development work on return to their home country
• that they are already seeking to build their networks and professional skills while in Australia
• a willingness to engage in the Forum and its organisation.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• be a current Australia Awards scholar.
• be from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka.
• be available to attend the entire program in Canberra on 12 and 13 April 2023.

To apply, you will need to answer questions, including the following:

• How will your participation in the Scholars Forum benefit you? (200 words)
• What are the most significant challenges affecting your ability to establish linkages? How does this impact your capacity to initiate change upon returning to your home country? (200 words)
• What are you most interested in learning about in the context of building networks? (100 words)

Applicants must register, complete, and submit their application online on the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia events application portal. If you have registered on the application portal before, you can reset your password or register with a different email address.

An email confirmation message will be sent to your account upon registering your details through this system. This message will contain a link that will enable you to activate your account. Please check your spam or junk email folder if you have yet to receive this email within 5-10 minutes in your inbox. If you cannot locate the email confirmation message from Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia or have any queries regarding the application portal, please email support.portal@australiaawardssouthasiamonglia.org and ensure that you provide the email address that you used to register on the system.

Once you log in, you can apply for the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia 2023 Scholars Forum. Please click the submit button at the end of the application once you complete it. You will receive an email after you have submitted your application.

Applications must be submitted online by midnight Canberra time on Sunday 19 February 2023.

Questions regarding applications can be sent to bianca.warnock@australiaawardssouthasiamongolia.org.